Media More Worried About Same-Sex Partners Than Long-Term Unemployed

Same-sex marriage is among the most important issues affecting the United States if headlines are to be believed. Google News shows 31 million stories related to "gay marriage," but just 179,000 results for "unemployment" and 21,700 results for "long-term unemployment."

Unfortunately for the unemployed, the Supreme Court cannot solve their problem with simple rulings that everyone should have a job. Unemployment requires thoughtful policy decisions. Washington D.C. seems to be incapable of delivering serious solutions and the most important problems are being ignored in favor of issues that affect a small number of people.

According to data from CNN, there were fewer than 650,000 same-sex couple households in the U.S in 2010. Assuming each one of them wanted to marry, this is a problem for 1.3 million people. It is a problem that could be addressed at the ballot box, through the courts or through state legislatures. But no matter which way the problem should be resolved, it is not the most urgent matter government needs to address.

Same-sex marriage is an example of how the media can control the agenda in Washington and state capitols around the country. Just as it is important to the people involved in same-sex relationships, long-term unemployment is important to those without jobs.

Long-term unemployment also has a negative impact on the future of the economy. As the jobless lose skills, they become less employable and less likely to earn high wages in the future. That means lower tax payments and less money for the government to spend without borrowing against the future.

Maybe one day politicians will address what's truly important rather than what the media tells them is important. That day will have to wait until gay marriage is settled in the way the media demands it be settled.

Same-sex marriage is among the most important issues affecting the United States if headlines are to be believed. Google News shows 31 million stories related to "gay marriage," but just 179,000 results for "unemployment" and 21,700 results for "long-term unemployment."